A passenger steps on to the train platform at Union Station. (Jack Boland, Toronto Sun)

On Tuesday morning, members of the government management committee — without blinking an eye — approved $14-million more in spending on lawyers, architects and contractors for the disastrous Union Station renovation project.

The only comment came from committee chairman Paul Ainslie, who muttered in his typical sarcastic manner, “my favourite construction project.”

Perhaps it was funny to him, but Toronto taxpayers should be absolutely appalled by the lack of accountability and cavalier attitude of the city’s bureaucrats and politicians towards this project — now in its eighth (!) year of construction with no definitive end in sight.

The latest reports from the city’s bureaucrats (January and February) shows that the reno’s original pricetag of $640 million — approved in 2009 — has now escalated nearly 30% to $823.5 million.

In the Jan. 17 report to budget committee asking for approval for the newly-revised budget, bureaucrats point to “third-party scope changes” and changes in “cost estimates, issues with design and schedule and managing the heritage” aspect of the project.

They also blame the delays in completing the project (it is now at least two years behind schedule) on capital projects being undertaken by Metrolinx (specifically the Regional Express Rail program and SmartTrack) which has “created complications, challenges and impacts.”

The Jan. 17 report is not to be confused with the other 17 reports chock full of excuses why deadlines were delayed and more money was needed.

Nor is it to be confused with a report from Auditor-General Beverly Romeo-Beehler from last June that concluded the city’s real estate division had failed to collect $9.4-million from tenants at Union Station — representing fees for cleaning and maintenance jobs.

Look, I suspected this whole reno was set to be a disaster in the making back in 2006 when then Mayor David Miller decided to scuttle a private-public partnership with Union Pearson Group (UPG) to redevelop the station, which was purchased by the city in 2000. That deal would have granted UPG a 100-year-lease in exchange for a guaranteed minimum rent of $500,000 a year after the consortium sunk $150-million into improving the landmark.

Miller’s bright idea at the time was to allow the city to manage and fund the station’s repair, transportation and heritage restoration needs while private sector partners would be wooed to subsidize a $388-million plan to create an underground mall of shops, services and restaurants.

In 2009, a $640-million deal was approved with federal and provincial funding. Construction began in 2010 and the project chugged along with delays and repeated cost increases.

Yet, when Mayor John Tory inherited this boondoggle in 2014, one thought perhaps there was a bright light on the horizon. He promptly told reporters at a press conference early in his term that “huge timing delays” and “cost overruns” on big projects (Union Station included) stems from a “culture of non-accountability” at City Hall. He even suggested heads would roll if poor management continued.

But four years later, I see the same city bureaucrats named on the Union Station reports: Josie Scioli, Richard Coveduck and Joe Casali. In fact, Scioli was just promoted by outgoing city manager Peter Wallace from chief corporate officer to deputy city manager.

I asked Tory precisely about that Tuesday. He avoided the question pointing to Metrolinx as the reason for the latest increased costs and further delays (what about all the others?)

“I’m pleased to see city staff have a plan to finally complete this project and I know Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster shares that determination,” he said.

His handler, Don Peat, also noted that Tory has major capital project update meetings every quarter to ensure projects are on time and on budget.

As for the bureaucrats, city spokesman Wynna Brown said the city is “committed” to working with stakeholders at Union Stations to mitigate both schedule and budgetary impacts.

Then she reiterated the party line seen in many city reports: “The Union Station revitalization project is one of the most complicated construction projects in the country wedged into one of the most congested parts of Toronto and taking place while maintaining one of the busiest commuter hubs in North America.”

Yes indeed, this project is complicated and clearly beyond the scope of city officials.

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